Journal file photoCommuters offered mixed reactions today at Hoboken Terminal to the news that New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg is proposing an extension of the No. 7 subway line throug the Mile Square City and on to Secaucus.

Magdelin Rodriguez, of Queens, New York, has to take a bus, two subway lines, the PATH train and another bus to visit her father in Union City.

"It's a great idea," she said as she waited for the bus at Hoboken Terminal this morning. "And not only for me. There's a lot of people who don't want to pay double fare."

When switching from the New York City subway system to the PATH train, transit users must swipe their metro cards a second time, bringing the total cost of the trip to $4.

"It will take the burden off the commuter," said Rodriguez. "In the long run, people who don't drive to work, it would be that much easier on that person."

"It sounds like it's worth considering. It's about five or six billion dollars...," said one commuter from Maplewood. "It could be an alternative."

The Bloomberg Administration is indeed promoting the plan as an alternative to the $8.7 billion Access to the Region's Core (ARC) Tunnel Project killed last month by Gov. Chris Christie who feared potential cost overruns. Bloomberg's new plan, which is still in early stages, has been tagged at about $5.3 billion.

"I thought it was a good idea," said a Jersey City resident who declined to give her name. "But then financially, who's going to foot the bill, New Jersey or New York?"

The plan's proponents haven't gotten that far, but it is most likely that Gov. Chris Christie would have to be on board.

Hudson County officials, including Hoboken Mayor Dawn Zimmer and Freeholder Anthony Romano, have already voiced support for the proposal. Hoboken resident and state Assemblyman Ruben J. Ramos, Jr. issued a statement Thursday in welcome of the plan.

""I hope to see this project come to fruition, especially for the benefit
of Hoboken and all Hudson County residents and businesses," he said. "I am willing to offer whatever help I can to make this a reality."